i also do the sashings on top and back then stitch together. it is very easy-peasy. doing the quilting before the quilt is put together is very nice too. i find that the greatest advantage to a qayg is that the quilt can be added to to increase the size anytime and an older or damaged block can be removed and repaired or replaced without tearing up a whole quilt to do it. it is a very thrifty way of quiltmaking whether you do it by hand or by machine.